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ZACH Theatre for Youth Staging Kids Book Favorite If You Gave a Mouse a Cookie

ZACH Theatre brings the classic children's book, If You Gave a Mouse a Cookie, to life on the Whisenhunt Stage, starring award-winning actor Martin Burke. Adapted by Jody Davidson, the Theatre for Youth production runs February 18th through March 24th.

It all starts so simply - a day like any other. A boy stays home alone when his mom goes to visit Aunt Rose. With a few cookies and a good spot to read, everything seems so perfect.

Then the Mouse shows up - hungry, talkative and not to be ignored. What can the boy do but give the Mouse a cookie? And when an energetic mouse and an obliging boy spend the afternoon together, cookie crumbs, spilled milk, and a whole lot of outrageous physical comedy combine for an hour-long entertainment for families. The production marks the first time that Burke - one of ZACH Theatre's most acclaimed mainstage actors, will appear in a Theatre for Youth production.

"For nearly 40 years, ZACH has provided direct services to generations of children, families and educators from across Central Texas," said ZACH's Director of Education, Nat Miller. "Our goal this year is to engage nearly 20,000 students through live theatre, classes, camps and outreach in schools. We are building audiences for theatre in the future by cultivating opportunities for students to study, explore and experience the joys of live theatre."

Performances run Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children.

ZACH's Whisenhunt Stage is located at 1510 Toomey Road. For tickets and more information, call (512) 476-0541, ext. 1, or visit www.zachtheatre.org.

(Photo of Martin Burke by Kirk R. Tuck)